Tough Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Unknown

Pit bulls are popular with owners who see them as a symbol of status or machismo (here's a BBC report on this).

And the breed has now been banned in many places, including Brooklyn and Harlem, New York.

Perhaps with good reason.

Pit bulls are responsible for the greatest number of fatal dog attacks in the U.S.

Ironically, these attacks most often occur on the owner's property.

Hence the satirical headline that appeared in The Onion: 'Heroic Pit Bull Journeys 2,000 Miles to Attack Owner'.

Thanks to Tattoo Elvis for the photo

Air Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Las Vegas

They are known as ‘air dogs’ because their feet never touch the ground.

Instead these pampered pooches live quite the social whirl, which in Las Vegas could include trips to Bone-Appetit luxury pet boutique; Three Dog Bakery - The Bakery For Dogs; Paws & Claws boarding, grooming & boutique (“when only the best will do”) ; America Dog & Cat Hotel (“luxury hotels aren't just for people”); Flea Bag's Barkery & Bow-tique; Little Buddy Bath self-service dog wash; and last but not least, Howlin' Hounds Gourmet Dog Bakery.

The city also hosts annual events like Pet-A-Palooza, and Strut Your Mutt. Las Vegans definitely love their dogs.

Thanks to Lori Tingey for the photo

Circus Dogs

NAMES: Unknown
LOCATION: On tour

If you would like the opportunity to decide for yourself whether it is ethical to train animals for human entertainment, but do not have a dog circus near to you, you can watch a 5-minute video of circus dogs here.

Comments include:

“Andrey Markov's trio of trained dogs brought smiles to the children's faces as they cantered around the ring dressed like horses.”

“Makes you wonder what method was used to make these poor dogs run around in mindless circles. Was 'fear' or 'reward' their motivation to perform? I'm betting 'fear'.”

“My (autistic) son loved it! those dogs are very well trained.”

“I am soo against circus' because they abuse the animals so they can put on those pathetic costumes and do their acts. That is so degrading.”

“The little dog that walked on her hind legs was adorable!!”

Thanks to Andreas Solberg for the photo

Snow Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Washington Square Park, New York

The indigenous populations of Alaska and the arctic have a lovely colloquial phrase to measure the cold – they say “it’s a three dog night” or “a four dog night”, referring to how many sled dogs they must bring into their bed to provide enough body heat to get through the night.

Thanks to Ianqui for the photo

Police Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Mt. Charleston, Nevada, USA

Dogs have worked alongside the police for many years. The practice began in the 19th century, when British policemen began to take their pet dogs on patrol with them.

In the United States, police dogs are known as ‘K9 units’, and some are even outfitted with bulletproof vests.

After a police dog was killed in the line of duty in New Jersey, legislation was proposed there that would treat the murder of a police dog the same as the murder of a police officer, which would make the crime eligible for the death penalty.

As police work makes increasing use of new technology, police dogs are now being trained to work with cameras attached to their heads, enabling them to enter dangerous places and send pictures back to officers.

Thanks to Lori Tingey for the photo

India Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Calcutta, India

When the street dog population is ‘under control’, the people of Calcutta tend to leave them be, and they survive by eating waste from restaurants. But when numbers get too high, the government will organise a cull of street dogs, usually by poisoning or shooting. This dog’s life ended outside a hotel in a side-alley. The hotel owner got his son to drag the dog to the tip, about 20 minutes walk away. Probably the lengthiest accompanied walk the animal had ever experienced.

Thanks to Doctor John for this picture

Sniffer Dog

NAME: Bobi
LOCATION: Colorado Springs, USA

Bobi is a male Vizsla (Hungarian Pointer) born in Germany on 01-Jan-2003, and weighs 54lbs, according to his official baseball-type card, provided by the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. The unit was set up in 1973, with 40 dogs. They now have 425. The unit has also started its own breeding program, which now produces 100 puppies a year - each named after a victim of Sept. 11.

Thanks to Mike Cornwell for the photo

Derbyshire Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Pleasley, Derbyshire, England.

This dog is a terrier – the breed traditionally most popular with miners. But his owner almost certainly is not a miner. Although Pleasley was once a mining community, the pit closed in 1983. In fact from 1960 to 1995 the number of people working in UK coal-mining fell from 583,000 to only 10,000, causing high unemployment in the former mining areas. But there is hope for Pleasley. The former mine is now a museum. And where the slag heaps once stood is now a popular nature reserve, complete with large ponds, cycle and walking tracks.

Thanks to Nick for the photo

London Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Maida Vale, London

London has the biggest population of any city in the European Union. But it’s not even in the top 20 for density. The reason? Parks.

The centrepieces of London's park system are the eight Royal Parks of London, covering over 5,000 acres (20 km²) of land. There are also many great local neighbourhood parks, like the one where we snapped this fella, Paddington Rec in Maida Vale.

During daylight hours people spend a lot of time lazing or playing in the parks. And those with dogs take full advantage of them for walks.

Like everything in London, it’s all done in an orderly fashion. Witness these signs in Paddington Rec legislating on dog, park and poo etiquette.




So when next in London with a dog, be sure to check out the parks, but also be sure to form an orderly queue before letting your hound cock his leg. And do tidy up after him…

Australian Dog

NAME: Jem
LOCATION: Outback

There are nearly 140 million sheep in Australia (seven times the human population), and dogs are still widely used in their mustering and handling.

Australians tend to have a strong work ethic, especially the four-legged ones, and the popular Cattle Dog breed are essential workers on outback properties.

As well as being hard-working, another traditional virtue of the Australian is to be plain-speaking. So true to form, the most popular name for a Blue Cattle Dog is… ‘Bluey’.

Thanks to Marj_k for the photo.

Thailand Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Sukhothai, Thailand

There are many stray dogs in Thailand. They wander around in packs, but are generally friendly. Not only are Thai dogs allowed in temples, in fact the local Buddhist temple is the most common place for strays to find food or a safe place to hang out, where the monks will often feed them scraps. It's not uncommon to see ten or more dogs lying in the shade around a temple.

Thailand is the world’s most predominantly Buddhist country, with 95% of its 65 million people following the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhists believe that life is sacred, so it is wrong to end another life under any circumstances. They are appalled at the Western practice of animal euthanasia. Good in theory… but then you see these packs of dogs with no spot on their body free of mange, every rib showing through their skin...

There are more pictures of Asian strays at the Asian Stray Dogs Project.

Thanks to elevenoate for photo

Prague Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Central Prague

The number of tourists visiting Prague has more than quadrupled since the ‘Velvet Revolution’ of 1989. In fact the Czech republic has 10.2 million inhabitants yet attracts over 100 million tourists a year, the vast majority of whom have come to see Prague. The city has a reputation as a fun place for stag weekends and company bonding-trips, with visitors promised cheap beer and friendly women. But no one seems to mention the weather. It’s damn cold!The average max. temp. only rises above 18 degrees for three months in the year. Seven months of the year regularly experience lows of less than 7 degrees. The record low is -28 degrees. This is why the dog is wearing a coat.

Spanish Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Majorca

As Spain becomes increasingly tied-in to the global economy, one of its unique and long-held customs has come under threat - the siesta. Indeed, as of January 2nd 2006, the Spanish government has banned state employees from taking the customary two or three hour lunchtime lie-down. Fortunately, it's business as usual for the country's canine population, who in the often intense heat of the Spanish early-afternoon seem determined to uphold tradition.

Rio Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

According to the CIA World Factbook, Brazil is the country with the seventh-greatest inequality of income in the world (behind only Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, the Central African Republic, Sierra Leone and Bolivia). And nowhere is the gap between rich and poor clearer than on Ipanema Beach. By day, it's a parade of Rio's wealthiest citizens - volleyballing musclemen (do they not have jobs to go to?) and incredible women wearing dental-floss thongs. At night, it's the haunt of the dregs and the deranged. We also found this poor chap. Homeless, and a bit thin. He was friendly though. Probably on the hungry side...

Paris Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Left Bank, Paris

In English-speaking countries, dogs go "woof woof". But in France, they say "gnaf gnaf." The yappier sound may be because the average French dog is a little smaller, and no doubt more sophisticated. This well-groomed [breed] looks completely at home in the smart surroundings of the Rue Saint-Michel, where intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre used to hang out. Incidentally, the internet T-shirt shop Cafepress now offers a Sartre-themed T-shirt designed to be worn by dogs. It features the slogan "Everything has been figured out, except how to live." I'm not sure if Sartre would have approved or not. If memory serves, he was an existentialist, not a surrealist.

Bali Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: Candi Dasa, Bali

Bali has 3 million people and an estimated 1 million dogs. The majority of them are street dogs. Many survive by eating the ceremonial offerings which the Balinese (90% of whom are Hindu) place on the ground outside their homes and stores. This chap did have an owner, who he was accompanying to the rice fields. But he still has the air of an independent citizen, not a pet.

Surrey Dog

NAME: Winnie
LOCATION: Godalming, Surrey, UK

Surrey, a county that lies to the south-west of London, has the highest property prices in the UK - the average home costs £330,000 ($600,000). And to complete these big expensive homes you need a big expensive dog. Just like the house he lives in, Winnie is glossy and well-maintained.

Cannes Dog

NAME: Ondiana
LOCATION: Hotel Toboso, Cannes

The South of France is all about glitz and glamour. Ondiana, a Bijan Frise, is the canine equivalent of a Fendi bag. This sophisticated resort dog carries around her neck the key to the residence, rarely going anywhere without her sophisticated patronne, but should she want to, she could.

Amsterdam Dog

NAME: Unknown
LOCATION: A shoe shop, Amsterdam, Holland.

Amsterdam is well known for its dope-friendly 'cafes' and the red-light district. But spend any length of time there and you discover many stylish and well-looked after shops. The dogs are the same. This chap, an impeccably-mannered [breed] shop-dog, was a bit snooty. Funnily enough, so were his owners. The service was terrible.

Santa Monica Dog

NAME: William
LOCATION: Will Rogers Park, Santa Monica, Los Angeles

This little fella, a Cocker Spaniel - with his Californian, sun-bleached curls - is one pampered pooch. His owner, a very polite and well-to-do local, (note the pearl necklace) takes him to Will Rogers Park, a promenade above Santa Monica beach, daily. The recent National Pet Owners survey of America showed that the average U.S. dog has $1,800 spent on him a year, and 41% of canines now share a bed with their owner. Santa Monica is also notable for its large homeless population. An estimated 2,000 humans in the city have no bed to sleep in.

Hungry Beast

Hungry Beast